brands (non-custom) with xxs frame for 5'0" rider?

[eephotog]

I'm vaguely looking for a bike for my GF, but it's been hard to find one small enough. She's 5'0", but short in the leg, long torso.

Any thoughts on which brands have a small enough frame, without going custom?
650b wheel is also a positive, to keep things proportional.

[LouDeeter]

Take a look at the Rock Lobster in the classifieds. Not 650, at least I don't think so, but right size if you want a pure road bike and not a hybrid.

[carlucci1106]

Had been looking for a friend, same height, but short arms/torso, and inseam (not sure how that works-- neck length?)

Anyhow, Pinarello has a few models with 43cm/44cm, e.g. Paris/ Prince, which have really low standover. Also the Liv Langma in the XXS is looooowww. But the reach is longer (364mm vs. about 349) than the equivalent Pinarello. So maybe better. Pina has an in-between size that would still be smaller than everyone else's XS. 46cm, I believe, if you need the reach. Cannondale has a 44cm in a few entry point bikes. Also, on the other side of the coin (pun intended), a Specialized Tarmac SL7 comes in a 44cm. Edit: There's an SL6/Tiagra for $2.7k available through the website, too. 730mm standover, 365mm reach. very similar to Langma.

Can't find a single Ti or steel bike with appropriate Seat tube length anywhere. Saw the RL in the classifieds. Could work, but the standover might be a problem with short legs still.

One last thought. If small hands, consider going with electronic shifting, or Campy (don't know haven't experimented with this). My friend has a hard time swiping the left STI into big ring. Try before buy.

[buddybikes]

Just saw ads, IF - https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=286881 cheap and customizable.

[Dave]

My wife is also 5' with extremely short legs. The only thing she ever rode was a hybrid with 26 inch wheels. Post a standover. I have the smallest Cinelli superstar with a sloped TT and 46cm seat tube. Stand over is about 72cm.

A Cannondale Synapse has a 71.2cm stand over. Not many brands even list stand over these days.

[echappist]

...

[buckfifty]

Canyon?

[cribbit]

What type of riding? Road? Gravel? Tire width? Disc or rim brake? Budget? Used or new?

[deluz]

My wife is 5'2" and rides a Cannondale Synapse 48cm. She is more longer legs and short torso. Synapse actually goes down to 44cm with 68cm standover. It is a nice bike.

[eephotog]

Originally Posted by Dave

My wife is also 5' with extremely short legs. The only thing she ever rode was a hybrid with 26 inch wheels. Post a standover. I have the smallest Cinelli superstar with a sloped TT and 46cm seat tube. Stand over is about 72cm.

A Cannondale Synapse has a 71.2cm stand over. Not many brands even list stand over these days.

Thanks! Stand over is 27.5" without shoes, ~70cm. Seems like 72cm would work in street shoes.

Right now looking for a road/hybrid/city bike (commuting + longer weekend road rides), but keeping it under ~$500 to test the waters. The plan would be to track down something nicer and more specialized if the hobby sticks.

[avalonracing]

My ex was 5' with shorter legs longer torso and 650 definitely felt better to her. Luckily I found her a custom Strong that fit her perfectly. She loved that bike.

[AJosiahK]

If your not excluding flat bar options then I’d recommend a Kona Dew. Fits my 5ft partner really well and at that size w/ 650x47c tires it’s pretty snappy. Can be found on the cheap end too and upgraded as desired. The base of these is def around your bottom end budget, I got a deal on hers, 500 or something like that for a barely used then returned to a bike shop 2020 (2x7).

650b / QR / disc brakes; with plenty of room to upgrade or flex for fast fun/ commuter / gravel rides. If I was still bile commuting I’d have bought one for myself.

GL!

[carlucci1106]

Originally Posted by eephotog

Thanks! Stand over is 27.5" without shoes, ~70cm. Seems like 72cm would work in street shoes.

Right now looking for a road/hybrid/city bike (commuting + longer weekend road rides), but keeping it under ~$500 to test the waters. The plan would be to track down something nicer and more specialized if the hobby sticks.

Yeah, my friend has 27.5" w/ Shoes on! So maybe your gf's standover is not much of an issue.

Just looking for clarification...are we looking for hybrid/city or road?

If you are looking for a hybrid/city bike, we are talking about a completely different thing- I don't think finding a bike with sufficient standover and comfortable reach will be a problem.

A "road" bike would convey something with a drop bar, and usually a traditional diamond frame shape, where the top tube would have to be significantly sloped to allow standover, and a proportionally short reach.

Flat bar and riser bar, and all other bar-type "hybrids" almost always have a "step through" option, that in the smallest size almost anyone could ride.

Now, would this "hybrid/city bike" need to be somewhat sporty, fast, and light? What are you riding when you go with her?

[carlucci1106]

Originally Posted by deluz

My wife is 5'2" and rides a Cannondale Synapse 48cm. She is more longer legs and short torso. Synapse actually goes down to 44cm with 68cm standover. It is a nice bike.

Funny, friend has the same bike/size, but needs the 44cm. They were out, so the bike shop just sold her the one that was there. Agree, it is a nice bike, but leaves so much on the table when it doesn't fit.

[eephotog]

Originally Posted by carlucci1106

Now, would this "hybrid/city bike" need to be somewhat sporty, fast, and light? What are you riding when you go with her?

Fast and light-ish is important. Looking for something that could be comfortable on the "casual" group rides here, which are usually ~12-16mph (no drop), and anywhere between 10-70 miles on roads/paths. Something really heavy and upright would probably get frustrating, but some of the sportier hybrids could be ok.